--- title: "Critical Infrastructure Dependencies — Educational Illustration — SIR" canonical_url: "https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/" date_modified: "2026-09-16" language: "en" source_sha256: "8ec0cfa1f30ee6b407adeab8d12449671c3ac3cc882ec59096f2dfa0f2114b44" --- Canonical page: https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/ ## Section links - [Make water safe to drink](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#chemical) - [Turn a hotel into shelter](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#commercial) - [Send a payment across town](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#communications) - [Build the vehicles that move us](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#manufacturing) - [Deliver water to a farm](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#dams) - [Equip a military installation](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#defense) - [Connect a call to hospital care](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#emergency) - [Keep a cell tower running](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#energy) - [Keeping purchases moving](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#finance) - [From processing to the store](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#food) - [Keeping public services working](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#government) - [Supplies in, care out](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#health) - [Delivering digital services](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#it) - [Nuclear materials in medicine](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#nuclear) - [Fuel keeps food moving](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#transportation) - [Clean water supports patient care](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/#water) Follow a dependency · Review draft # Sixteen sectors. Many connections. Each example follows a service into one sector and then follows a service that sector provides to another. Arrows run from provider to user. These are selected, sourced examples; they do not describe every organization or every connection. The examples supplement the dissertation's explanation of interconnection. They are educational illustrations drawn from official sector sources, not new findings from the study. 01 · Chemical ## Make water safe to drink **Transportation Systems** Provides: Raw-material deliveries **→** **Chemical** **→** **Water and Wastewater Systems** Receives: Treatment chemicals Trucks, trains, and ships bring raw materials to chemical plants. These plants make chemicals that water systems use for treatment. A late shipment can affect more than one service. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Chemical Sector-Specific Plan (2015)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-chemical-2015-508.pdf) Primary Cross-Sector Interdependencies: transportation carries incoming raw materials and finished chemicals; water systems depend on chemical products for purification and sanitation. 02 · Commercial Facilities ## Turn a hotel into shelter **Water and Wastewater Systems** Provides: Water + sanitation **→** **Commercial Facilities** **→** **Emergency Services** Receives: Disaster shelter space Hotels need clean water and a way to remove wastewater. During a disaster, some hotels and other buildings offer shelter space that emergency services can use. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Commercial Facilities Sector-Specific Plan (2010)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-commercial-facilities-2010-508.pdf) Printed p. 10, Water and Emergency Services dependency rows: water supply and wastewater treatment support commercial buildings; emergency services use commercial facilities as shelters. Printed p. 88 specifies hotels and motels. 03 · Communications ## Send a payment across town **Energy** Provides: Electricity **→** **Communications** **→** **Financial Services** Receives: Transaction messages Phone and data networks need power. They carry payments between people, shops, and banks. A digital payment depends on both power and a working link. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Communications Systems](https://www.cisa.gov/topics/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/resilience-services/infrastructure-dependency-primer/learn/communications) Dependencies lists energy supplying electricity to communications facilities and communications carrying financial transactions and market operations. 04 · Critical Manufacturing ## Build the vehicles that move us **Chemical** Provides: Process chemicals **→** **Critical Manufacturing** **→** **Transportation Systems** Receives: Vehicles + parts Factories use chemicals such as paints and solvents. Some make the vehicles and parts used on roads, railways, and in air travel. The trip begins with materials used on the factory floor. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Critical Manufacturing Sector-Specific Plan (2010)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-critical-manufacturing-2010-508.pdf) Printed p. 12, Chemical dependency row: chemical products support manufacturing processes; examples include solvents and paints. - [CISA: Critical Manufacturing Sector-Specific Plan (2015)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-critical-manufacturing-2015-508.pdf) Printed p. 23, Transportation Manufacturing: vehicle, aviation/aerospace products and parts, and railroad rolling-stock manufacturing. 05 · Dams ## Deliver water to a farm **Communications** Provides: Remote monitoring **→** **Dams** **→** **Food and Agriculture** Receives: Irrigation water Some dams use remote links for monitoring and control. Reservoirs can supply water to farms. A digital link can thus help manage the water used to grow food. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Dams Sector Profile (2019)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/video/Dams%20Sector%20Profile_16Aug2019_508_FINAL.pdf) Critical Sector Dependencies and Interdependencies, Communications and Food & Agriculture entries: telecommunications supports remote operation; dam assets provide crop irrigation. 06 · Defense Industrial Base ## Equip a military installation **Critical Manufacturing** Provides: Industrial components **→** **Defense Industrial Base** **→** **Government Services and Facilities** Receives: Military equipment Defense firms use parts made by other industries to build and maintain military equipment. That equipment supports work at military bases, one part of the government sector. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Critical Manufacturing Sector-Specific Plan (2010)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-critical-manufacturing-2010-508.pdf) Printed p. 12, Defense Industrial Base dependency row: defense production relies on inputs from Critical Manufacturing; the plan also acknowledges sector overlap. - [CISA: Defense Industrial Base Sector-Specific Plan (2010)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-defense-industrial-base-2010-508.pdf) Introduction describes production, delivery, and maintenance of military systems and components to satisfy U.S. military requirements. - [CISA: Government Facilities Sector-Specific Plan (2015)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-government-facilities-2015-508.pdf) Printed p. 5 includes military installations. The outgoing arrow combines this sector classification with the defense-production function; it is an illustrative mapping, not an explicit universal dependency in either source. 07 · Emergency Services ## Connect a call to hospital care **Communications** Provides: 911 calls + dispatch **→** **Emergency Services** **→** **Healthcare and Public Health** Receives: Patient care + transport Phone and radio networks carry calls for help and guide emergency crews. Emergency medical crews give care and can take patients to a hospital. The links matter from the first call to arrival. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Emergency Services Sector-Specific Plan (2015)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/emergency-services-sector-specific-plan-112015-508.pdf) Printed p. 10: emergency services rely on operational/public communications and 911, and first responders and EMS coordinate with healthcare. - [NHTSA: EMS, Highway Safety and Post-Crash Care](https://www.ems.gov/issues/ems-highway-safety-and-post-crash-care/) Care for the Victim describes on-scene medical care; Get to the Right Hospital describes EMS transport of seriously injured patients to trauma centers. 08 · Energy ## Keep a cell tower running **Transportation Systems** Provides: Fuel deliveries **→** **Energy** **→** **Communications** Receives: Electricity Railways, roads, waterways, and pipelines bring fuel to energy systems. The power they produce runs cell towers and other network sites. This is one supply path; energy sources and backup plans vary. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Transportation Systems Sector-Specific Plan (2010)](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-transportation-systems-2010-508.pdf) Printed p. 16, Sector and Cross-Sector Dependencies: the Energy sector depends on deliveries of coal, crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas through transport systems. - [CISA: Communications Systems](https://www.cisa.gov/topics/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/resilience-services/infrastructure-dependency-primer/learn/communications) Dependencies lists energy supplying electricity to cellular towers, central offices, and other communications facilities. 09 · Financial Services ## Keeping purchases moving **Communications** Provides: Transaction messages **→** **Financial Services** **→** **Food and Agriculture** Receives: Financial services Networks carry payments and other financial transactions. Banks and other financial firms support the businesses that grow, process, and sell our food. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Communications Systems — Dependencies](https://www.cisa.gov/topics/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/resilience-services/infrastructure-dependency-primer/learn/communications) The downstream Financial Services bullet identifies transmission of transactions and operation of financial markets. - [Food and Agriculture Sector-Specific Plan (2015), p. 22](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-food-ag-2015-508.pdf#page=29) The Commercial Facilities and Financial Services example identifies financial services as support for food and agriculture businesses. 10 · Food and Agriculture ## From processing to the store **Water and Wastewater Systems** Provides: Processing water **→** **Food and Agriculture** **→** **Commercial Facilities** Receives: Food for sale Food processors use water to make their products. The food they supply helps stock shops in the commercial sector. Trouble at a food plant can reach the store shelf. Sources for these connections - [Food and Agriculture Sector-Specific Plan (2015), p. 22](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-food-ag-2015-508.pdf#page=29) The Water example describes municipal water used in food and ingredient processing. The Commercial Facilities example describes retail impacts from a food-sector disruption and food-sector reliance on commercial outlets. 11 · Government Services and Facilities ## Keeping public services working **Information Technology** Provides: Systems and software **→** **Government Services and Facilities** **→** **Water and Wastewater Systems** Receives: Permits Government offices use IT systems for daily work. Water utilities also need public services, such as permits. This link concerns both software and the permission needed to do the work. Sources for these connections - [Government Facilities Sector-Specific Plan (2015), p. 7](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-government-facilities-2015-508.pdf#page=10) Dependencies and Interdependencies and Table 2 identify IT as necessary for daily operations and transactions, including cyber and physical systems. - [EPA: Water Sector Interdependencies (2010), County Jails and Courthouses](https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P100DP7I.TXT) The Government Facilities entry identifies obtaining permits as a water-sector dependency. This supports an administrative relationship, not a physical supply flow. 12 · Healthcare and Public Health ## Supplies in, care out **Transportation Systems** Provides: Medical supplies **→** **Healthcare and Public Health** **→** **Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste** Receives: Workforce health Health providers need transport to bring medical supplies. Health services also help protect nuclear workers from disease outbreaks. One sector supplies care for the people who run another. Sources for these connections - [Healthcare and Public Health Sector-Specific Plan (May 2016), p. 12](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-healthcare-public-health-2015-508.pdf#page=19) Figure 8 Transportation Systems entry identifies shipment of supplies, pharmaceuticals, personnel, and patients as necessary to healthcare functions. - [Nuclear Sector-Specific Plan (2015), p. 12](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-nuclear-2015-508.pdf) Key Interdependencies, Healthcare entry: the nuclear sector relies on healthcare to maintain workforce health and safety against pandemic disease. 13 · Information Technology ## Delivering digital services **Communications** Provides: Service delivery links **→** **Information Technology** **→** **Government Services and Facilities** Receives: Systems and software Phone and data networks help deliver IT services. Government offices use those tools for daily work, including financial transactions. Public services can depend on both networks and software. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Communications Systems — Dependencies](https://www.cisa.gov/topics/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/resilience-services/infrastructure-dependency-primer/learn/communications) The Information Technology downstream bullet identifies delivery and distribution of applications and services. - [Government Facilities Sector-Specific Plan (2015), p. 7](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-government-facilities-2015-508.pdf#page=10) Table 2 identifies IT support for daily operations and financial transactions. 14 · Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste ## Nuclear materials in medicine **Transportation Systems** Provides: Material shipments **→** **Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste** **→** **Healthcare and Public Health** Receives: Medical isotopes The nuclear sector needs transport to move nuclear and radioactive materials. Some of these materials go to health providers for tests and treatments. This example follows medical uses. Sources for these connections - [Nuclear Sector-Specific Plan (2015), pp. 11–12](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-nuclear-2015-508.pdf) Transportation Systems entry on p. 11 describes shipments of nuclear and radioactive materials to sites or end users. Healthcare entry on p. 12 identifies medical imaging, monitoring, and treatment uses. 15 · Transportation Systems ## Fuel keeps food moving **Energy** Provides: Diesel fuel **→** **Transportation Systems** **→** **Food and Agriculture** Receives: Freight delivery Diesel powers many trucks and trains. They carry supplies to farms and move food to plants, shops, and consumers. A fuel shortage can affect the path that food takes to the table. Sources for these connections - [EIA: Use of diesel](https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/diesel-fuel/use-of-diesel.php) The sections on diesel's economic role and uses identify trucks, trains, boats, and barges that carry products using diesel fuel. - [Food and Agriculture Sector-Specific Plan (2015), p. 22](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-food-ag-2015-508.pdf#page=29) The transportation example identifies shipment of farm inputs and delivery of agricultural products through processing, distribution, retail, and consumers. The final can-affect sentence combines the two documented dependencies as an illustrative inference. 16 · Water and Wastewater Systems ## Clean water supports patient care **Chemical** Provides: Treatment chemicals **→** **Water and Wastewater Systems** **→** **Healthcare and Public Health** Receives: Water for care Water plants use treatment chemicals from outside suppliers. Health providers need water to clean, sterilize tools, and give care such as dialysis. Treatment supplies can matter far beyond the water plant. Sources for these connections - [CISA: Infrastructure Dependency Primer — Learn](https://www.cisa.gov/topics/critical-infrastructure-security-and-resilience/resilience-services/infrastructure-dependency-primer/learn) Types of Dependencies, Physical example, identifies chemicals and electricity as water-facility inputs; the preceding supply-chain paragraph names chlorine for treatment. - [Healthcare and Public Health Sector-Specific Plan (May 2016), p. 12](https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/nipp-ssp-healthcare-public-health-2015-508.pdf#page=19) Figure 8 Water and Wastewater Systems entry identifies sanitation, renal dialysis, sterilization, and other healthcare water uses. The final sentence is an illustrative inference from the two dependencies. Information Technology is one shared layer across these sectors. IT and Communications work together to deliver digital services. A dependency does not mean that every disruption causes a failure elsewhere. [Explore the shared digital layer →](https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/index.html#3) ## Structured metadata ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/studies/advancing-us-cyberspace-policies/dependencies/", "inLanguage": "en", "isPartOf": { "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Strategic Intelligence Research", "url": "https://www.strategicintelligenceresearch.org/" } } ] ```